news stories
Reaching Our Seniors
September 9, 2020 / By Shawna Lambert and Jean Sheviak, East Greenbush FUMC
Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the Summer 2020 issue of the Advocate, which focused on "Keeping Connected." At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, almost every religious organization began to ask the same question: How can we help? We at First United Methodist Church of East Greenbush (FUMCEG) decided early on that a major target of our focus should be the elderly population, who would surely be among …more
A Blessing for Students, Teachers/Professors and Staff
September 9, 2020 / By Rhonda Chester / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
May children, youth and young adults everywhere be open to the blessing of a brand new school year. May the radiance of your soul light up all opportunities to do good work and to be good humans. As you enter the virtual and in-person spaces, may you do so with anticipation for the new discoveries of your ability to adapt and learn. May your minds and hearts be excited to …more
Bishop Webb’s message to the UNY Conference Sept. 8
September 8, 2020 / By UNY Communications
On Sept. 8, Upper New York (UNY) Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb, sent a video message to the Upper New York Conference. In his message, he expresses gratitude for every clergy person, lay person, and participant in any of the UNY churches for the faithful ministry they continue to offer in the name of Jesus Christ at this difficult time. Bishop Webb expresses sorrow for the UNY Conference as they …more
Rev. Dr. Duane Priset’s reimagining of the Pilgrim’s Progress available
September 8, 2020 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
For over 40 years, the Rev. Dr. Duane Priset, who served Lockport: Emmanuel UMC in the Upper New York Conference and several churches in the former Western New York Conference, has been teaching lessons from John Bunyan’s The Pilgrim’s Progress to Sunday School classes, congregations, seminar attendees, and even his seminary students. Introduced to The Pilgrim’s Progress as a senior in high school, Dr. Priset …more
Donors reminisce about their times at UNY Camp & Retreat Centers
September 7, 2020 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The Manna in the Wilderness campaign to support Upper New York Camp & Retreat Ministries is going strong. Individuals who have had moving experiences at one of Upper New York’s Camp & Retreat Centers are stepping forward to make donations to a ministry that means so much to them. The Rev. Thanna Howell, pastor at Plymouth UMC, designated her donation to go to Sky Lake Camp & Retreat …more
Voting at the 2020 UNY Annual Conference
September 1, 2020 / By UNY Communications
As previously published, the 2020 Upper New York (UNY) Annual Conference will be held virtually. Both the clergy session (to take place on Sept. 19) and the Annual Conference session (to take place on Oct. 3) will be livestreamed. Click here to see the agenda. Those who are eligible to vote must provide a login email and create a password to access the virtual meetings when they register for the clergy session and …more
Vacation Bible School goes Virtual
August 31, 2020 / By By Gayle M. Kryger,
Editor’s Note: The following article, which originally appeared in the Summer 2020 issue of the Advocate, showcases how strong the United Methodist Connection can be. Virgil UMC, a very small church in the Upper New York Conference, partnered with a very large church, Zionsville UMC in the Indiana United Methodist Conference, to put on a successful virtual Vacation Bible School. At Virgil United Methodist Church, during April, it …more
Caring for children amidst COVID-19 and beyond
August 31, 2020 / By By Deacon Carrie Wolfe, Olean: Christ UMC
Editor's Note: The Summer 2020 issue of the Advocate focused on the theme "Keeping Connected." The following article was featured in that issue. Click here for the full issue. In Matthew 18:6 (GNT), Jesus says, “If anyone should cause one of these little ones to lose faith in me, it would be better for that person to have a large millstone tied around their neck and be drowned …more
How Pastor Hoyt provides spiritual warmth digitally
August 20, 2020 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Editor's Note: The COVID-19 pandemic catalyzed digital discipleship for many churches throughout the Upper New York Conference. The Summer 2020 issue of the Advocate highlights many ways that churches have grown disciples digitally and through other creative ways.The following story about the Rev. Hoyt Brown is one of the stories featured in this Advocate issue. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the Rev. Hoyt Brown, the pastor at Livonia …more
Betsy Schuessler invites you to participate in Manna in the Wilderness
August 20, 2020 / By Betsy Schuessler, UNYCRM Executive Assistant
Editor’s Note: Many people in the Upper New York (UNY) Conference may know Betsy Schuessler as the Executive Assistant for Camp & Retreat Ministries (CRM). She has actually been connected to the UNY CRM since she was only 3 years old. Below Betsy shares what camp has meant to her and why she feels the Manna in the Wilderness campaign is so important. Our family moved to Gouverneur when …more